Over the last few years, we have been increasingly saddened by the rate at which Bath’s distinctive independent retailers are going out of business. Secession Books, Shoon, three independent record stores, several imaginative boutiques, and now Sam’s Kitchen on Walcot Street. Many local residents will have their own list of bright, original shops and restaurants extinguished by prohibitive business rates while the city centre is taken over by national and international chains.

The result? In the short term, no doubt, an increase in income generation from these large and impersonal “name brands.” In the long term, the dilution of the very features which have made Bath a place to visit and return to. The tourist industry is a vital part of Bath’s financial wellbeing, and to bleach out its distinctive character is an act of slow self-sabotage. We predict that, as the centre of Bath becomes indistinguishable from any other shopping precinct, its reputation as a unique destination will dwindle. As we know from events in Liverpool, World Heritage status is not irrevocable.

Read More

We have recently spoken to local shop owners who have told us that the council’s main priority in this area seems to be “growth at any price.” This is worrying for two reasons. The first is that, even if one accepts that “growth” (a conveniently vague term) is a good thing in itself, this is not the way to achieve it. One cannot sustain lasting growth at the expense of one’s unique selling point. Any attempt to trade on Bath’s distinctive character, while causing it to increasingly resemble its competitors, is inevitably doomed.

Independent Spirit

The second reason is that there are other priorities besides growth. We are not the permanent owners of Bath, we are just the people who are lucky enough to live here during this moment in its history. Future generations will not be able to recover what is lost now.

Read More

There is a fine book called Vanishing Bath by Peter and Ruth Coad, a record of distinctive Bath buildings and streets lovingly drawn on the eve of their demolition. We believe that another, more insidious, form of destruction is going on – of the spirit and individuality of the city.

Instant Vintage

We have spoken to local traders who report conversations with (nonresident) members of the local authority who were unaware that Bath had any notable resources apart from “SouthGate and the Roman Baths.” We realise that this is anecdotal evidence but, looking at recent history, it is all too believable.

Read More

It is short-sighted, financially unsustainable, and (above all) unjust, to raise the business rates of smaller retail sites so as to be able to lower the rates of primary sites. This means that large and anonymous chains are effectively being subsidised by the smaller, local traders who can least afford to do so. We do not believe that such short-sighted policies represent the feelings of local people.